Betty Jean James

On the early morning of December 29th, 2025, Ms. Betty James, 85, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, entered into the gates of heaven. She often talked about Jesus' coming in the Rapture and today she is able to walk the streets of gold with him and all those that left before her including her beloved husband, JT. Funeral services for Betty will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the First Assembly of God with Rev. Keith Price & Rev. Steve Defee officiating. She will then be laid to rest beside JT in Pine Level Cemetery in Elba with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Before retirement, she worked at least two jobs at a time to help provide support for her family - including working at Vanity Fair, Conagra Hatchery, Annie's Restaurant and the Luverne Hospital. Ms. Betty loved to talk to people and never met a stranger. She absolutely loved to spend quality time with her family and friends- especially her kids, brother and grandchildren.

What a great prayer warrior she was- she read her Bible everyday and lived a Godly life. She loved angel figurines. She was also a faithful servant at Luverne First Assembly of God. She also loved games! She would take great joy in playing a game of Mexican Train (Dominoes) and Aggravation. She loved playing Bingo at the Senior Citizens Center and showing her family her wins. She loved pizza, chocolate popsicles, and getting grilled catfish from Ramey's on Friday. She used to make the best coconut cake. She often reminisced about her vacations to the mountains.

She exhibited such a sweet innocence and was a ray of sunshine in this world. She will be greatly missed.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas "JT" James; parents, General Washington McDonald and Minnie Biggs Moore; and sisters, Lena Mae Bryant and Mamie Fillman. She is survived by her cherished children, Sammie (Jon) Kinsey & Earl (Kathy) Kilcrease; grandchildren, Sharon Alford, Christopher (Heather) Burgess, Silenia (Billy) Richardson, Evens (Samantha) McVay, and Lesley (Mike) Sgroi; great-grandchildren, Emmalee & Lacey Alford, Rhiannon & Charlee Burgess, Sophea & Brynlee Richardson, Lavada, Harper, & Easton Sgroi, Boe McVay, and Scarlett Wolfe; brother, Alvie (Joyce) McDonald; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Christopher Burgess, Billy Richardson, Evens McVay, Bobby Gaines, Kevin Hester, and Boe McVay.

And always remember, Granny loves you more!